Christina Cruz: At 119 lbs, there’s no one close

Christina Cruz, in the pose to which she's grown accustomed (Photo by Christy Cappillino)

I remember Angelo Dundee advising great athletes from other sports to stay the hell out of the ring. “It’s a special kind of balance, a feeling in there,” he said. “It’s almost impossible to make the transition.”

He went on to provide a laundry list of comical examples, stories of graceful athletes with god-like reflexes, who were made to look ridiculous when they exchanged one type of glove for two over taped hands. Sorry, Dundee said, it’s a hard rule.

Uh, Angelo, I’d like you to meet Christina Cruz. She can shoot the jumper over your head, then change jerseys and knock the ball out of the park. But at 23-years old, she decided not to listen to you. Here’s what happened…

Within a year, she was the Empire State Games and the NYC (Metro) champion; and a year later, she won the Games again, the NY Daily News Golden Gloves, the U.S. Nationals, and the Pan-American Games. And then she started to get the hang of it. So add on four more national titles, a silver medal, Metro championships, Daily News Golden Gloves championships… Let’s just say she wins everything so we can get on to other things.

At 119 lbs., Cruz is the #1 ranked amateur boxer in the country. On the court, or on the diamond, she’s a star; but in the ring, she’s a force of nature.

I had already heard of her when I finally got to see what the fuss was about. It was in Woodstock on September 13, 2008. She was facing Plattsburgh’s Jaci Trivilino for the second time. The two had just met in July when Cruz defeated Trivilino for the 119 lb. National Golden Gloves Championship. Trivilino was the defending champion.

It’s no wonder Jaci dropped that decision to her, I remember thinking. Such fluid movement, and ring sense, the kind of things you don’t learn in a couple of years. But that’s exactly how long she’d been boxing at the time.

Cruz is arguably one of the most naturally gifted athletes around.

Trivilino went on to win that second bout, but as Cruz’ trainer, Marcos Suarez, is quick to note, “Jaci had 10 lbs. on Christine.” They would face off again in Plattsburgh, where Cruz would avenge that loss.

“Jaci is one of the toughest opponents I’ve faced,” she said. “She has real power, a very strong hitter.”

What ever possessed you to start boxing in the first place? “I just love it. It’s hard to explain,” she said. “The first day I started boxing, I never looked back.” The small shy voice seems to come as a surprise, as does her humility. “I don’t really think about whether I’m good or not; it’s not really about that. It’s about loving what I do.”

Photo by Christy Cappillino

But you’ve only been at this four years, I said, how do you explain your accomplishments? “Well, I just like sports.” Hmm…okay.

She credits Suarez with much of her success. “I’ve been with Marcos for two years now and it’s made such a difference. “She goes to the body better now, and moves her head,” Suarez said. “She’ll fight when she has to, and box when she has to.”

Cruz is as much about hard work as natural ability. “She works very hard for what she has,” Suarez said. She knows that victories are won in the gym, which is where you’ll find her when she’s not at her Manhattan secretarial job. At 27-years old, she knows the sacrifices are many for a boxer at her level. “When I’m not working, I’m training,” she said. “It’s as simple as that.”

What is it like, being a woman in a male-dominated sport? “I believe things will get better because women bring more enthusiasm to boxing,” she said, echoing a theme that comes up whenever the subject does.

“It’s not that they’re better, but you have to understand, women don’t get the level of attention than men do. There are fewer rewards. So the women who do it are obviously there for themselves, for nothing but the love of it.”

We talked about this for a while, especially in the context of her plan to eventually turn pro. “Girls tend to stay amateur longer because there’s no money in it for them as a pro.”

Photo by Christy Cappillino

She’s right. Women on the top level can expect to make only a few thousand dollars, compare to the men’s millions.

Everybody thought the sport would gain in popularity after Million Dollar Baby, where Hilary Swank, with Clint Eastwood working the corner, was knocking out everybody in front her, and Laila Ali’s appearances on Dancing With the Stars and American Gladiator, but it has yet to really get off the ground.

“It won’t stop me,” Cruz said. This year I’m focused on winning the Regionals, the National Golden Gloves, the U.S. Nationals and then it’ll be on to the 2012 Olympics. Then I’ll think about turning pro.”

As of 2012, the Olympics will be a possibility for women – for the first time, albeit with dramatically less representation than for men. Women will compete in only three weight divisions – flyweight (106 to 112 pounds), lightweight (123 to 132 pounds), or middleweight (52 to 165 pounds), forcing many of the 36 women who will make it (compared to 246 men) to either lose or gain weight they shouldn’t have to.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,” she said. “Getting to 112 lbs. won’t be a problem for me.” It will, however, be a problem for her opponents, who will have to deal with a faster, trimmed down version of Christina Cruz.

Women’s boxing will make it – eventually, and it will do so because of remarkable athletes like Cruz, who will dazzle you with their skill and captivate you with their passion for the sport.

The 2012 Olympics will be the beginning. Christina Cruz will be a part of it. You watch.

3 Responses

Hey Mike,the first time i seen Chritina box was at the 2007 nationals i knew then she was something special.She lost that bout however i felt she clearly won.I knew that was going to be the girl Jaci was going to have to beat the following year in the 2008 nationals if she wanted to defend her title. I was right Jaci ended up boxing her in the finals and lost a dec.So its nice to see her get the credit as a great boxer.I want to wish her the best shes a class act.

Congratulations! To Christina for all her success. She is a great fighter/person nice and down to earth. Team Serrano wants to thank her for all the work and help she’s given us. God bless her. We love u. That Olympic gold is Yours. GO GET IT!!

I’ve watched Christina Cruz compete several times and she is a smooth operator. If she drops to 112, the other olympic hopefuls will besides dealing with her variety of skills, have to deal with her height.

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